Off the Beaten Path: New York City’s Commonly Missed Attractions
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Sights for the Seasoned Traveler
The Statue of Liberty ... Rockefeller Center ... Times Square ... Central Park ... These are just a few of the common places that people travel when they visit New York City. However, most of the interesting sights are often missed as tourists dash from one over-visited location to another. The city has so much more to offer - especially for those who believe that they have seen it all in NYC. Are you interested in history? The city also has castles? Are you traveling with kids? There are some wonderful attractions for children. How about those who like nature? The city also has many parks that are unknown to many travelers. This lens focuses on some of those overshadowed locations that a well seasoned traveler may be interested in visiting.
#1: CASTLES
When thinking about castles, New York City is one of the last places that most people think of. However, there are two that may be worth your while. The first, Belvedere Castle, is centrally located in Central Park and the other, The Cloisters, is also located on the island but more of a hike. The following is a bit more information about both castles.
Belvedere Castle
Most tourists walk the parameter of Central Park. While there, you may want to take some time to go into the central portion of the park to visit Belvedere Castle. Below is some information about the castle.
automatically generated by Flickr
Belvedere Castle - Map
Belvedere Castle - Links
- Attractions
- Various points of interest - such as carriage rides and Shakespearian plays - that can be seen around the park.
- Belvedere Castle
- For more details about the Belvedere Castle, click on this link.
- Events
- A list of the current events that are happening in Central Park.
- History
- Central Park is full of history and is summerized on this link.
- Map
- This is a link to an intereactive map of Central Park.
- Top-10
- Central Park posted a list of their 10-ten recommendations of what to see/do in the park. It's interesting and great read.
Cloisters
The first time I visited the Cloisters, I was a bit surprised how long it took me to get there. It's not that it was such a long trip. Rather, it's just that I was so accustomed to everything I wanted to be a few blocks within whatever location I was standing. Nevertheless, it was definitely worth the time and not as long of a trip than I initially experienced. Because of this, I included a map of where the castle is located as well as some additional information about the castle.
automatically generated by Flickr
Cloisters - Map
Cloisters - Links
- Revel in New York
- Not sure of you still want to visit? This site has some pictures and information about tours, tour prices, hours as well as a bit of history.
- In Etours
- This link has a nice array of photos embedded in the text. There isn't as much information as the first link but may be worth a look.
Additional Reading
AMNH - Map
AMNH - Link
- American Museum of Natural History
- For more information, go straight to the source! The attached hotlink is museum's homepage.
Central Park Zoo - Map
Central Park - Links
- Carriage Rides
- A direct link to the horse-drawn carriage rides, locations, costs, and additional details.
- Events
- For other types of events, click on this link.
- Family Activities
- A list of the playgrounds that are located around the park as well as events and other family activities.
- Map of Central Park
- This is an interactive map of Central Park that can help you locate some places on interest.
- Zoo, Central Park's
- Click here for more specifics about Central Park's Zoo.
- Zoo, Tisch Children's
- The Tisch Children's Zoo is located just to the north of the Central Park Zoo and is specifically designed for children.
Additional Reading
#3 - PARKS
A friend, who was visiting me in the city, was quite surprised to learn how green New York City actually is. It's true. New York City is quite green. The city planners have taken quite a bit of time to include nature and trees into the planning of the city. As well, there are solid movements around the city to build roof-top gardens, living structures and so forth so that the city can be more self-sufficient and environmentally consciousness. There is no way that ALL of the city's parks will be included here, and rather than including more details about Central Park, I've highlighted two other parks in the city as well as some interesting attractions around these locations if you were to be in the area.
Bryant Park - Links
- Calendar
- For a direct link to Bryant Park's calendar, click on the attached hot link. Besides, there is a lot happening!
- Directions
- This link also includes a map.
- History
- For the history of the park, click on this link.
- Homepage
- This is an overview of Bryant Park, such as some history, grounds, and amenities.
Union Square
To say that Union Square is simply a park is to completely understate the square. This park is so much more that that! It's a place to see outdoor theater, shop for rare antiques, grab a snack at the farmer's market as well find unique handmade artisan creations as a place to gather. Following is a bit more information about Union Park.
automatically generated by Flickr
Union Square - Links
- Events
- Upcoming Events
- Farmer's Market
- This link provides information about the vendors who sell at the local farmer's market.
- Getting There
- For a direct link on how to get to Union Square - via car, bike, subway and so forth - click on "Getting There."
- Strand Bookstore: Home of 18 miles of New, Used, Rare and Out of Print Books
- Strand Bookstore, New York City booklovers treasure trove - home to 18 miles of books, new books, used books, rare books, out of print books, art books, and children's books since 1927.
- Union Square Overview
- This link provides an overview about the square - such as events and a blog. The above hot button will direct you to the site's shopping, dining, and entertainment page.
- Union Square Park : New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
- NYC Department of Parks homepage for Union Square Park in Manhattan.
Union Square - Map
Additional Reading
#4 - ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Let's be honest ... there is NO way to summarize a city that is as large or diverse as NYC in one short lens. Hopefully, there were some new details about the city that may help make your visit more interesting. To conclude, I'll add more resources, books, links, and other information at the end of the lens. Thanks for taking the time to read the lens and please sign the guest book at the bottom of the page if you have the chance! :)
Preferred Books
There are a lot of travel books out there. The following list is a few that can get you started.
Links - the Need-to-Knows
- AccWeather.com
- This link brings you to the current NYC weather and conditions.
- MTA - Maps
- Maps for the areas surrounding NYC
- New York Times
- For current news, information, and events, visit their homepage.
- Subway Map
- Taking a taxi is EXPENSIVE! Learning the subway system is an easy way to save money.
- Zagat - New York City
- The Zagat rates restaurants for their ambiance, service, food quality, and so forth. Many restaurants post their scores on their windows so that customers can see that the establishment has been rated. However, if the restaurant isn't busy and hasn't been rated by the Zagat, there may be a very good reason for this! For their current list of restaurant rated, click on the attached link.
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eBay
Other Lenses
Check out some of my other lenses ...
Other Websites ...
Thanks for taking the time to look at my lens! I have a few other sites online as well for those who are interested.
- Etsy
- Most of the items posted are vintage and/or antiques. Rather than opening an antique store, smaller items will be offered ...
- Homepage
- A collection of the various works by Gil Warzecha, specifically images from the Movement Series and complete stoneware pottery. gilwarzecha@yahoo.com
- Prints & Posters
- For inexpensive prints and posters, click on the above link.
- Products
- Click on the above link to be forwarded to various products, such as magnets, t-shirts, key chains, and other products.
by GilWarzecha
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